I am interning in Brasilia for the United Nations Development Programme’s International Policy Center, which carries out research on inclusive growth. The UN developed the concept “inclusive growth” to identify a growth processand growth outcomes in which most citizens are actively involved. I will be a research intern with the social protection team – trying to think about mechanisms that provide protection but also foster initiative.

This summer I hope to get a better sense of international practices (both good and bad) of social protection. I recognize that it is an extremely difficult task to develop appropriate social protection measures and possibly even more difficult job of trying to reform measures that have been in place for sometime. I hope that my research can help to identify some applicable lessons that can be considered when developing or reforming social protection schemes.

I look forward to staying in Brazil for almost three months. Although I have had the privilege of living in and visiting so many places, I have never been to South or Central America. In fact, it is a region that I know very little about. I certainly have no grasp of Spanish let alone Portuguese. Nevertheless, my international experience will hopefully help me to integrate with locals and make for a rewarding experience. Throughout all my travels I have come to appreciate the universal language of kindness. We Iranians are famous for our superb hospitality – thus my standards are probably quite high – but people around the world never fail to amaze me with their kindness and humanity.

Some guy suddenly left Brasilia, so a room opened up in a five bedroom apartment where one of the Brazilian interns is staying. I got really lucky in my flat hunting. I can remember all the problems my family has had when we moved to find a suitable place. I am so grateful that I got it easy this time. The four others are all amazingly friendly Brazilians who speak great English. The neighborhood is also solid and it is only a 30 minute walk or 10 minute bus ride to the office. The cool thing is that I get to pass the “Three Powers Square” on the way – it is where the Supreme Court, Senate, and Presidential Palace are. Our office is on the 7th floor of the Ministry of the Army and we have a great view of the “esplanada” (the big boulevard with all the ministries and the Three Powers Square). However, it is a bit weird to enter the building and elevators that are packed with soldiers.

Anyway, I will try to write more soon but I hope this first post gives you a decent basic introduction before I get into the fun details!